Abstract: PO0086
Perception of COVID-19 Risk Among In-Center Hemodialysis Patients
Session Information
- COVID-19: Health Systems and More
November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors
- Filus, Ania, Davita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Garcia Gonzalez, Carlos G., Davita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Brunelli, Steven M., Davita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Eaton, Karen-Marie, Davita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Tentori, Francesca, Davita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Background
Dialysis patients are at high risk for severe complications related to COVID-19. The present study examined perception of risk of COVID-19 and its impact on behavior modification and emotional well-being among in-center hemodialysis (ICHD) patients during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
In-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted between May and July 2020 with adult ICHD patients dialyzing at a large dialysis organization (LDO). Responses were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The reliability of categories was examined by an independent coder.
Results
A total of 41 LDO patients were interviewed. The median age was 63 years and 54% were female. Satisfactory inter-rater reliability was achieved for all identified themes (kappa = 0.70 - 0.99). We found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a high level of worry among ICHD study subjects; 78% of those interviewed felt that they are at high risk of COVID-19. Consequently, subjects reported a high level of compliance with appropriate protective behaviors during the pandemic, such as wearing a mask, sheltering at home, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. The perception of the actual likelihood of contracting the virus during a hemodialysis session was relatively low (M = 3.38 on a 0 to 10 risk scale). The pandemic had no impact on self-reported adherence to dialysis treatment schedules, medications, or diet. However, subjects reported dominating emotions of frustration, fear, stress, depression, and anxiety.
Conclusion
The study subjects were aware of the risk of COVID-19 and seemingly increased compliance with protective behaviors as a consequence. It appears that the pandemic had a strong negative impact on the study subjects’ emotional well-being and that additional support in this area might be beneficial.